Gas-tight sampling well



April 28, 1931. 51 BROOKS 1,802,326

GAS TIGHT SAMPLING WELL Filed Jan. 30, 1928 A Home Patented Apr. 28,1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STEPHEN H. BROOKS, OF LOS ANGELES,CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO BROOKS ENGINEER- ING CORPORATION, 01 LOSANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA GAS-TIGHT SAMPLING WELLApplication filed January 30, 1928. Serial No. 250,692.

My invention relates to improvements in gas tight sampling wells and itmore especially consists of the features pointed out in the annexedclaims.

The purpose of my invention is to provide sampling wells for storagetanks which are used to store liquids that are more or less volatile,such as oil tanks, etc.; that overcomes the evaporation losses usuallyattending the gauging of such tanks because of the free opening in thetank when the gauge and thief hole cover is opened to insert the gaugersmeasuring rod; that automatically prevents the free venting of the tankwhen ever its contents are to be measured; that permits free entrance ofthe tank contents into the gauging column at predetermined points belowthe top level of the liquid; and that prevents the escape of anyaccumulated vapor into similar openings in the column positioned abovethe liquid level because such openings remain automatically closed untilthe upper level of the liquid rises far enough to cause the float valvesof such openings in the gauging column to automatically open, lettingthe tank contents circulate in the columnmaintaining the same level ofstratification in the column as in the rest of the tank.

With these and other ends in view I illustrate on the accompanyingdrawing such instances of adaptation as will disclose the broadunderlying features of my invention without limiting myself to thespecific details shown thereon and described herein.

Figure 1 is an elevation of a gauging column installed in a tank,showing the openings below the liquid level open and those above suchlevel closed.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation in section of the float valve mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the valve seat with the valve removed.

In practically carrying out my invention I may use whatever alternativesof construction that the exigencies of actual use may demand.

As illustrative expedients, the drawing shows my invention applied to astorage tank which comprises a bottom 2, the side 1 and roof 3. Thesampling well 4 is secured to the roof in a gas-tight manner and it mayextend some distance above the roof where it is closed by means of athief hole cover 5. The lower and open end of the sampling well, or pipe4 is supported on any desired stand, such for instance as 6. This pipehas a series of openings 8 formed in it on'opposite sides from eachother and in staggered relation, throughout the length of the pipeinside of the tank.

Adjacent each opening 8, a valve seat or base 9 is secured by means ofears 10, and rivets, or screws or otherwise. These bases also haveupwardly projecting extensions to'which the float or rocker arms 13 arepivoted at 12 on pins 18. Conical valves 7 are pivoted on the lower endof the rocker arms 13 on pins 14positioned between upper and lower limitstops 16. The lower one of these stops may have an adjusting screw '17to provide means for changing the lower limit position if desired. Anupper limit stop 15 is provided on the float arms 13 which prevents theball or other floats 11 engaging the pipe 4 when the float is raised toits extreme height by the liquid contents of the tank.

'As the floats 11 are raised by the liquid the valves 7 are carried awayfrom the openings 8, thus permitting the tank contents to circulate inthe sampling well 4. The level of Stratification of the liquid in thepipe 4 will always be the same as in the tank it self. While the tank isempty all the valves 7 are closed over their respective openings 8, butjust as soon as the liquid level rises to the first float 11, nearestthe bottom of the pipe 4 this float will remove its valve 7 from itsseat'around. an opening 8 and so on successively: as the level risesthe'floats immediately .above theentering liquid will be raised, but allthe floats above the liquid level will in the :column.

remain closed, thus preventing the escape of any accumulatedvaporspresent; in the tank. Without this provision tanks provided onlywith closed'openings in the roof lose accumulated gases each time thecover is removed for sampling or gauging purposes. The gauging andsampling column serves a double purpose. \Vhen the contents oi the tankare to be sampled it will be found that the oil in the column has thesame stratifi'cation as that inthe tank because it can circulate freelyFor gauging purposes the level of oil in the column is onlyapproximately the same as the oil level within the tank.

Assuming, for illustrative purposes, that there is a one ounce pressureabove the oil in the tank, then the level in the column would beslightly higher. Under a vacuum this level would be slightly lower.

The liquid enters the bottom of the column by a pipe not shown, risinggradually maintaining a plus or minus level according to whether apositive or negative pressure is in the tank. A given' valve 7 remainsclosed until it is entirely submerged after which the float I].automatically rises, opening the port 8,a-llowingthe tank contents tocirculate in the 'column', thus correctlyrepresenting the stratificationof Oll in the tank for sampling purposes. The cover 5 serves to keepdirt and rain from entering the tank and as a. secondary precautionshould for any reason the valves become inoperative. In view of thecommanding importance of this invention i is elaimed'in its broadestsense.

What I claim is:

1. In conservation systems, a tank or receptacle for holding liquids gastight throughout, a tube extending from adjacent the bottom of the tankuprto and opening through the roof of the tank, a removable closure forthe tube at its top, a plurality of valve seats surrounding openingsformed the pipe, within the tank, and means for auto matieallymaintaining such valves closed above the liquid level and open belowsuch level whereby the escape of vapors from the tank is preventedduring the time the contents are being sampled or gauged.

2. In oil conservation systems, a gas tight receptacle, adapted to holdvarying quantities of liquid, a sampling well within the receptacleopening on the outside of same, a plurality of openings in the wellwithin the receptacle, and means dependent on the level of the contentsfor automatically closing the openings above such level and opening thembelow such level.

3. In conservation systems, a gas tight tank, a sampling column withinthe tank, means for permitting the tank contents to circulate in thecolumn, as the level of the contents rises, and for preventing theescape of vapors through the column when the liquid 5 level lowers.

STEPHEN I-I. BROOKS.

